The Red Sox have ongoing contact with free agent pitcher Roy Oswalt, sources tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com (Twitter link).
Oswalt, not far removed from being a dependable top-of-the-rotation starter, has seen his stock fall this offseason due to injury concerns, with recent rumors suggesting he could end up with a one-year contract worth somewhere around $8MM.
In addition to the Red Sox, the Rangers and Cardinals are also thought to be interested in adding the right-hander, who could pay off in spades for a contender if he's back at full strength.
Boston has been aggressively purusing rotation depth recently, although Oswalt would be more than insurance if he were to sign. The Sox added Aaron Cook and Justin Germano on minor league deals, and they may be nearing an agreement with Vicente Padilla.
diesel2410
They still won’t finish above 3rd.
Edit: Obviously it was part joke… they could definitely end up winning the division. But hey, what’s sports without some form of trash talk?
Lunchbox45
cop out
wickedkevin
Agreed.
Espen Kysely
Everyone they talk to gets scooped up by another team unless no other team wants them.
mrjjbond
Sox are improving more than the Rays. As unknown as the rotation is at this point, it’s addition by subtraction getting rid of Lackey and his 160 innings of 6.41 ERA. Even if that’s just replace with 5 ERA pitching, that’s a bigger improvement than the Rays are likely to see from adding Moore to their rotation. RF was an offensive black hole for the Sox last season too, even without doing anything else to improve it from now till the season starts, it’ll still be better than 2011. Add in full off seasons for AGon and Pedroia, and the Sox look like the team that was leading the Rays for the majority of last season, and another 2nd place AL East finish (which still my not be enough for the wild card).
chris_synan1
Just saying dice k and lackey will be better after Tommy John surgery
chris_synan1
We need to sign him bad
chris_synan1
We need to sign him bad
towney007
Oswalt should be a good bet in Fenway should he decide to sign there. I’m just surprised that he’d take a one year deal to pitch in the AL East. There’d be better places to go where he might get a little more money.
That being said, if the Red Sox can get him – they’re getting a guy who’s got the potential to still be a good #2/#3 SP. Back injury really hurt Oswalt last year, but he seemed back to normal by September. Whoever gets him is getting a good pitcher.
feathers
At this point in his career, he’s a #3 at best on a good staff. $8 million will buy a lot less these days.
Phillies_Aces35
Not a lot of good #3 starters.
feathers
Meaning?
Phillies_Aces35
That he’s a bargain.
Lunchbox45
he’s one year removed from a 3.27 FIP and he’s only 34.
if his back is strong, he’s still a top of the rotation arm
feathers
I know a lot of people want him to be, especially Sox fans if they get him. But, a bad back rarely mends itself and most become chronic ailments. I hope he’s well, but believing he’s a #1 or #2 on a good staff is folly.
Lunchbox45
unless you have his medical records or a recent physical than you are talking hypothetically.
Yes, if he’s un healthy he won’t perform. If he is healthy he’s a solid pitcher
feathers
I don’t, but i do have a bad back. While i’m not a world class athlete nor do i have trainers at my beckon call, i do know about back problems.
Lunchbox45
While I sympathize with your back pain, its not really applicable. These are professional athletes with 1st class doctors and trainers at their disposable.. Most importantly they have the time every day to work on core strength and training, where us normal folk have to go to work.
feathers
That was part of my point, but i can’t see why you can’t see my point about chronic back pain. I’m not arguing just to argue and i’m not really dissing Oswalt. My original point, and think we’ve kind of lost track on that, is on a good staff he’s a #3 now as opposed to a #1 or #2. Anyway, it was fun having a civilized convo about it with you.
MaineSox
I think Oswalt is still basically the same pitcher assuming he is healthy; he’s only one year removed from one of the best years of his career.
MaineSox
Beckett struggled with a back injury in ’10 only to come back this year and put up outstanding numbers, to the point that there were rumblings of him being in Cy Young contention around mid-season.
Greg Furlong
The Sox don’t need him to be a front of the rotation starter though. They’re looking to fill out the back end of their rotation and are on a limited budget. In that sense, Oswalt on a 1 year deal for so cheap, would pretty much represent the best possible outcome.
Lunchbox45
Rough week for a Jays fan, especially when this inevitably goes through..
Snoochies8
Oh come on, can’t be too bad, Bartolo’s outta the AL East!
Lunchbox45
lol true. .
unfortunately, combined with a huge payroll the yankees and red sox have very good front offices. The Pineda trade is a prime example of that.
ARod's Ring
Anyone else has heard the rumors of Phil Hughes for Billy Butler being discussed?
sdsny
I heard that but there’s not much else to it other than just simply a rumor. I don’t see why the Yanks would do that, considering they’d be acquiring pretty much the same player they gave up to get Pineda. A good right-handed hitter with no defensive position. Not to mention the fact that we have a right-handed DH already in Andruw Jones AND that DH spot is going to be used to give A-Rod, Jeter, etc. partial days off. Also, Eduardo Nunez is a terrific right-handed bat. What we’re lacking is a lefty off the bench. Signing Damon or Pena via free agency is the better course of action.
Scheister of Doom
To expect two guys with chronic back concerns to stay healthy all year, let alone one guy, is some lofty expectations. Alfredo, I’m looking at you! I’d still snatch Oswalt up at the 1/10M the Yanks paid Kuroda and hope for the best but prepare for the worst, the back is a tricky thing. I’m 30 and have had two epidorals for chronic back pain myself. Sometimes just bending down to tie ones shoes can set it off.
MeowMeow
Less talking more signing, come onnnnnn, Ben! He’s a certifiable bargain now.
Disgustedfan
If they sign Oswalt they would have Beckett Lester Bucholtz and Oswalt. With the addition of Bailey to the bullpen and that all star lineup life is looking good in beantown. If they could layoff the beer and the fried chicken this is a 100 win caliber team.
Lunchbox45
I would hope the sox players are smart enough to stay clear of bears, thats one fight you just cant win
ARod's Ring
Wanted to post a bear picture to get some likes, but I’m too lazy.
Lunchbox45
I’ll help you out and send you the likes via email
Disgustedfan
oops caught me on that one. I meant beer
Martin
1.34 WHIP in the NL? He is not gonna help us much.
MaineSox
WHIP? For real? He has never, in his entire career, had a FIP or xFIP of 4.00 or higher; he’s only had a SIERA of 4.00 twice and an ERA of 4.00 once. He’s an outstanding pitcher and would help the Red Sox immensely.
NomarGarciaparra
Get it done!
BloodySock
The Sox rotation for 2012 instantly got better once Lackey left it. 😀
The direct comparison of lineups and each pitcher is kind of meaningless unless you’re talking postseason matchups. The Sox and Yankees are both good. Who knew?
The bigger story is playing 162 games. The Sox had the division in the palm of their hands and blew it. The fact they didn’t even make the playoffs is a real embarrassment and stain on the organization. But that was then, this is now.
But the Sox aren’t ready yet, and will likely start the season off a little slow. This will be the first year without some fixtures: GM, Mgr., Varitek, Wakefield, etc. That will take some time to adjust.
The offense will be decent. The bullpen looks pretty solid on paper. Rotation is a HUGE question mark and is currently behind the Yanks, Rays, and Angels, imo. I think they should take a page out of the Yanks book and go after Oswalt and Harden. Along with what they already have signed to minors (including…gasp Andrew Miller), they have a chance to put together a solid rotation for most of the season.
I have mad respect for the Rays when you consider what they did after all the players they lost. They are opportunistic and managed very well. They have sick young pitching depth. If they just spent a little on the offense, they’d really be contenders.
BloodySock
Sorry. posted twice.
soxin10
Not convinced Oswalt is the answer. I guess a career NL starter makes me nervous in the AL East. Our experiments with Smoltz, Penney, and even Pinero a few years back is of concern.
The absence of a john lackey is a huge upgrade, plus a full year of Bucholtz is more than most clubs could hope. I like out chances without another beergate. Excuse name mispells, got lazy.
sdsny
The Red Sox had Joel Piniero?
sdsny
Just checked. They sure did, back in ’07. I don’t remember that at all, lol. Of course he ended up with the Cards mid-season.
MaineSox
Oswalt has been an outstanding pitcher for him entire career, moving from the NL to the AL East may affect his numbers, but they don’t change the fact that he is a great pitcher, and even if the move bumped his FIP up a full half a point it would still be under 4.00.
sdsny
The Red Sox at this point need to do this. Right now, their rotation is suspect at best. Beckett, Buchholz, and Lester are a solid top 3 provided they all stay healthy, but beyond that they don’t have much depth. Taking a chance on Roy Oswalt is necessary.
NYPOTENCE
I agree, after Oswalt the only somewhat reliable starter that remains is Edwin jackson and I’m not sure if the Red Sox would want to pay that type of money.
NYPOTENCE
Really, why are the Rays being talked about as a title contender??? Yes, I know I sound foolish but in this division you need offense and I don’t know if they have that offense. They also needed a miraculous collapse by the Red Sox for them to get there, they finished one game ahead of a team that should have easily made it to the playoffs and would have been competing with the Yankees for the title of the East. Rays are a good team not necessarily a “beast”.
Brandon
Matt Moore could put that rotation over the top – even better than the Angels’. Longoria was still the second best third baseman in a down year, and Jennings could improve. Sure, their offense may be bottom 15, but their pitching and defense will be top 5. 90 wins is not out of the question.
chris_synan1
We need to make more big moves,it makes me mad when we have one of the richest men on earth and as a. Owner he is not willing to spend big bucks
Brandon
The Red Sox were on pace for 103 wins on September 1st. That’s how good they were. Best team for about 4 months. Let’s look at everything for this year, shall we? The rotation is definitely better when you subtract two ERAs over 5 (Lackey: 7ish, Wake: 5.5) and add Bard/Aceves/Doubront/Cook/Oswalt/Padilla. At worst two of those guys have high 4 ERAs, but that is so much better than 7 and 5.5. I think Oswalt will end up having a 3.80 and misses some time, Bard has a 4, and Padilla and Cook get some starts in there as well. Lester had one of his worst seasons and he said he was very disappointed in himself. He’s 28. He’s in his prime. Bottom line: upgrade. The bullpen was the most glaring issue and I praise Ben for not having to give up much to get 2 really good closers. Bailey might be a little better or worse than Paps, but nothing dramatic. Melancon sets up and closes when Bailey has gone too many days in a row and hopefully will not implode like Bard. Morales really improved last year and lowered his walks from past years by a huge amount. Albers was amazing until august, Aceves will give you up to 150 great innings from the bullpen and even start, and hopefully Doubront, Hill, Jenks, Atchison, Bowden can step up and fill in a bullpen spot. Slight upgrade. The lineup was the best last year and will stay the same this year. Ellsbury might slip a bit, so will Ortiz, but the key to their season is Crawford. If he hits anywhere near .310 20 100 with 40sb then the Red Sox are golden. This team had the best lineup last year with Crawford hitting .260! They are fine. I think they will win 99 games and come in first in the East. No disrespect to the others, though. Yankees and Rays will probably win around 95 and 90 respectably. I can’t wait for the freaking season.
Brandon
The Red Sox were on pace for 103 wins on September 1st. That’s how good they were. Best team for about 4 months. Let’s look at everything for this year, shall we? The rotation is definitely better when you subtract two ERAs over 5 (Lackey: 7ish, Wake: 5.5) and add Bard/Aceves/Doubront/Cook/Oswalt/Padilla. At worst two of those guys have high 4 ERAs, but that is so much better than 7 and 5.5. I think Oswalt will end up having a 3.80 and misses some time, Bard has a 4, and Padilla and Cook get some starts in there as well. Lester had one of his worst seasons and he said he was very disappointed in himself. He’s 28. He’s in his prime. Bottom line: upgrade. The bullpen was the most glaring issue and I praise Ben for not having to give up much to get 2 really good closers. Bailey might be a little better or worse than Paps, but nothing dramatic. Melancon sets up and closes when Bailey has gone too many days in a row and hopefully will not implode like Bard. Morales really improved last year and lowered his walks from past years by a huge amount. Albers was amazing until august, Aceves will give you up to 150 great innings from the bullpen and even start, and hopefully Doubront, Hill, Jenks, Atchison, Bowden can step up and fill in a bullpen spot. Slight upgrade. The lineup was the best last year and will stay the same this year. Ellsbury might slip a bit, so will Ortiz, but the key to their season is Crawford. If he hits anywhere near .310 20 100 with 40sb then the Red Sox are golden. This team had the best lineup last year with Crawford hitting .260! They are fine. I think they will win 99 games and come in first in the East. No disrespect to the others, though. Yankees and Rays will probably win around 95 and 90 respectably. I can’t wait for the freaking season.
Brandon
Woops. I posted and it said error so i posted again and it said error again.
MB923
I agree it’s nothing more than a rumor. There’s no source for that at all. I am not saying it won’t happen, but I have no idea how that got started.
MB923
Grrr Disqus! This was in reply to a Phil Hughes/Billy Butler trade ruomr.
UltimateYankeeFan
When President Obama heard that the Red Sox were still talking to Roy Oswalt he was heard to say “The time for talk is over, the time for action is now because we know that if we do not act, a bad situation will become dramatically worse,” Obama said.
Keep in mind President Obama won the state of Massachusetts in 2008 by almost 800,000 votes and got a whopping 62% of the vote in Massachusetts. So he obviously knows something about what it takes to win there.
mvpedroia
I’ll take a healthy Lester/Beckett/Buchholz/Oswalt/Bard-Aceves over a healthy Sabathia/Pineda/Nova/Kuroda/Garcia anyday..If Oswalt accepts a 1 year deal to play in the AL East you got to think he feels pretty healthy.
BoSoXaddict
Sign him, today.